Talking to reporters here, he said a long-term agreement was necessary between the leaders of the Left parties, the BJP and the RSS to bring a lasting peace in the region.

''The Chief Minister and CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan should take the initiative in this regard,'' he added.

Referring to the occupation of a private plantation land by landless tribals in Chengara area of Pathanamthitta district, Mr Madhani said the PDP would support the tribal agitation.

He said the LDF government's stand on the Chengara issue was the same as the one adopted by the previous UDF government, which had ordered the forcible eviction of tribals from the Muthanga forest area.